Not all probiotics in infant formula are the same — and not all of them earn their place. Oli6 was the first Australian goat milk formula to include Bifidobacterium longum BB536, one of the most extensively studied probiotic strains in the world. Here’s what it is, what the research shows, and why we chose it.
What is BB536 Probiotic?
Bifidobacterium longum BB536 — commonly called BB536 probiotic — is a specific strain of Bifidobacterium that was first isolated from the gut of a healthy infant in 1969, by Morinaga researchers in Japan. It’s now backed by more than 50 years of safety and research data, making it one of the most well-documented probiotic strains used in infant formula worldwide.
BB536 belongs to the Bifidobacterium family — a group of bacteria that are among the first to colonise an infant’s gut after birth. Bifidobacteria arrive early, establish quickly, and stay for life. They play an ongoing role in digestion and nutrient absorption from day one.
BB536 has received FDA self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status specifically for use in infant formula, and has been used in food products across more than 30 countries for over four decades.
Why Oli6 Chose BB536 for Our Goat Milk Formula
There are dozens of probiotic strains used in infant formula. We chose BB536 for three specific reasons.
1. It’s naturally present in breastfed infants’ guts
BB536 belongs to a Bifidobacterium species that is naturally found in the gut of breastfed infants — it’s part of the microbiome that breast milk helps establish from birth. When we formulate Oli6, our aim is always to bring the nutritional profile as close to breast milk as we responsibly can. Using a probiotic strain that the breastfed infant gut naturally supports is central to that approach.
2. It’s one of the most research-backed probiotic strains available for infants
More than 260 published studies have examined BB536’s safety and function. The research base on BB536 is one of the most extensive of any probiotic strain included in infant formula — which is exactly why we chose it over more commonly used alternatives.
What does the research suggest? Studies on BB536 indicate it may support healthy gut microbiome development in infants, may support digestive comfort, and may contribute to healthy immune function through its role in gut microbiome balance. We say “may support” deliberately — infant nutrition is complex, every baby is different, and we won’t overstate what the evidence shows.
On that note: as a 2023 systematic review of probiotics in infant formula noted honestly:
-
To date, there is no perfect formula that combines all the ‘ingredients’ to exactly mimic and reproduce all the benefits of breastmilk, which itself varies interindividually and over time according to the ages of newborns and infants. — PMC10004767, 2023
BB536 isn’t a substitute for breast milk. It’s one rigorously chosen ingredient in a formula designed to be as nutritionally complete as possible.
3. It’s built to work with goat milk’s natural prebiotics
Probiotics perform best when paired with the right prebiotics — the fibres that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Goat milk is unusually rich in these. Our published RMIT University research (Xiao et al., British Journal of Nutrition, 2019: doi.org/10.1017/S000711451900134X) confirmed that Oli6 contains 14 naturally occurring prebiotic oligosaccharides, five of which are also found in breast milk.
These naturally occurring prebiotics nourish BB536 — and the beneficial bacteria it helps establish — in the infant gut. Oli6 also adds genuine human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) to our formula, bringing the prebiotic profile even closer to breast milk. The result is a synbiotic system: prebiotics and probiotics working together, each amplifying the effect of the other.
BB536 and the SynbiOli™ Blend
BB536 doesn’t work alone in Oli6. It’s one component of SynbiOli™ — our signature blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and essential nutrients included in every tin of Oli6 formula.
The gut-immune connection is well-established in the research literature: a healthy, balanced gut microbiome is associated with healthy immune development in infants. BB536’s role in supporting gut microbiome balance is part of why the full SynbiOli™ blend — including the formula’s zinc and vitamin C — may support healthy immune function alongside digestive comfort.
SynbiOli™ is in every Oli6 formula, from Stage 1 through Stage 4.
How BB536 Compares to Other Probiotics in Infant Formula
A 2023 systematic review examined the most commonly used probiotics in infant formula, including
- Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938,
- Bifidobacterium lactis BB12,
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG),
- Bifidobacterium breve (BC50), and others.
The review found meaningful differences in how different strains interact with infant health outcomes.
BB536 wasn’t included in that specific review — it’s not the most commonly used strain in formula, which is part of why we wanted to explain why we chose it. Our decision was based on its safety record, its natural presence in breastfed infant guts, its extensive published research base, and how well it pairs with goat milk’s natural prebiotic profile.
If you’re comparing probiotics in infant formula and wondering why Oli6 uses BB536 while other formulas use different strains — that’s the answer. It’s not the default. It’s a deliberate choice backed by the evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About BB536 Probiotic
What is BB536 probiotic?
BB536 is the name for a specific strain of Bifidobacterium longum, a probiotic bacteria first isolated from a healthy infant’s gut in 1969. It is one of the most extensively researched probiotic strains in the world and is used in infant formula, yoghurts, and nutritional supplements across more than 30 countries.
Why does Oli6 use BB536 in its goat milk formula?
Oli6 was the first Australian goat milk formula to include BB536. We chose it for three reasons: it’s naturally found in breastfed infants’ guts; it has one of the most robust research profiles of any infant formula probiotic; and it works synergistically with the natural prebiotic oligosaccharides in goat milk.
Is BB536 safe for babies?
Yes. BB536 has received FDA self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status for use in infant formula and has a 50+ year safety record. Oli6 formulas containing BB536 are manufactured to comply with FSANZ Standard 2.9.1 for infant formula in Australia.
Is BB536 the same as other Bifidobacterium probiotics in formula?
No. BB536 is a specific strain of Bifidobacterium longum — different strains of the same species can behave differently in the gut. Not all Bifidobacterium probiotics in infant formula are the same, which is why strain-specific research matters when evaluating probiotic choices.
Does Oli6 contain other prebiotics as well as BB536?
Yes. Oli6 contains BB536 probiotic alongside naturally occurring prebiotic oligosaccharides from goat milk (14 types, five also found in breast milk) and added human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Together, these form the SynbiOli™ synbiotic blend included in every tin.
Key takeaways: Bifidobacterium longum BB536
- Bifidobacterium longum BB536 — a specific, well-researched probiotic strain isolated from a healthy infant’s gut in 1969, with 50+ years of published safety and research data
- Oli6 was the first Australian goat milk formula to include BB536, and it remains a core component of every Oli6 formula through the SynbiOli™ blend
- BB536 is naturally found in the gut of breastfed infants — making it a compatible choice for goat milk formula designed to be as nutritionally close to breast milk as possible
- Research suggests BB536 may support a healthy gut microbiome and digestive comfort in infants — we use “may support” because we won’t overclaim what the research shows
- BB536 works as part of a synbiotic system with Oli6’s naturally occurring goat milk oligosaccharides and added HMOs — prebiotics providing the fuel, probiotic providing the beneficial bacteria
Always consult your healthcare professional for advice specific to your infant’s needs.
You can shop Oli6 goat’s milk formula products online, or instore at Coles, Woolworths or Chemist Warehouse.
Published Research Referenced on This Page
– Xiao L. et al. (2019). Oligosaccharides in goats’ milk-based infant formula and their prebiotic and anti-infection properties. *British Journal of Nutrition.* 122(4):441–449. doi: 10.1017/S000711451900134X
– Milani C. et al. (2017). The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota. *Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.* 81(4):e00036-17. doi: 10.1128/MMBR.00036-17
– Fehr K. et al. (2023). Probiotic supplements in infant formula and their effects on health outcomes: a systematic review. PMC10004767.
– Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. *Bifidobacterium longum BB536 — safety and GRAS status.* morinagamilk-ingredients.com/probiotics/bb536/
